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Leo F. "Link" Simbeck | 99
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Leo F. “Link” Simbeck, 99, of South Michael Street, St. Marys, passed away Saturday, June 10, 2023 at DuBois Nursing Home, following a brief illness.
A lifelong resident of St. Marys, he was known for many contributions to the community. Leo spent seventeen years as a member of the board of St. Marys Area School District and was president during the building of the high school. An accomplished public speaker who gave keynote addresses during Memorial Day ceremonies and on many other occasions, he was a co-founder of the original St. Marys Toastmasters Club and a member throughout its existence. He was also a member of the Elk County Concert Association and served various terms as its president.
Leo was born on May 26, 1924, in St. Marys, son of the late Henry and Irene Davis Simbeck. He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1942 and was employed briefly by Speer Carbon Company before being drafted into the United States Army on March 11, 1943. He received his basic training with the 106th Roaring Lion Infantry Division at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, he was in a replacement camp in Wales. He arrived in France on July 1st and was assigned to the 83rd Ohio Infantry Division. He spent four days on the front lines and four months in hospitals in England after being wounded on July 14, 1944.
He was returned to his unit in time to serve in the Battle of the Bulge in December of 1944. The war in Europe ended on May 8, 1945 and Leo celebrated his 21st birthday as the military commandant of a farm village in Bavaria. He was discharged on December 7, 1945, four years to the day after the U.S’s formal entry into the war.
Under the GI Bill, he enrolled in the Pennsylvania State College, earning a B.S. degree in electrical power engineering. He was a licensed professional engineer by examination and spent his professional life as an employee of Speer Carbon Company and its successor, Airco Carbon, which became a division of the BOC Group, from which he retired on October 2, 1984, after 38 years of service to the company
On June 13, 1949, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Leo married the late Mary Grace “Sis” Straub, who preceded him in death on January 8, 1988.
Leo is survived by his daughter, Irene Hanchar (Frank) of Mahaffey, PA; two sons: Leo J. Simbeck (Linda) of St. Marys and Ira M. Simbeck (Barbara) of Kersey; eleven grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Leo was preceded in death by five sisters: Henrietta “Kunny” Roussey, Marie “Wiggy” Rezmerski, Ruth Meyer, Ethel “Boots” Barnes, and Edna Straub; three brothers: Richard “Dick” Simbeck, Robert Simbeck, and Aaron Simbeck. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with the Rev. Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., celebrating. Full military honors will be accorded by the St. Marys Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Visitation will be held in the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Eldred World War II Museum, 201 Main Street, Eldred, PA 16731.
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Lee, Ira, Irene and your families: Uncle “Link” was a good man, never heard a cross word from him. We remember the homemade ice cream that he would bring to Bear Run! Our prayers and sympathy to you all.
Leo, Linda, Ira, Barb, Irene, Frank and families,
Sending our deepest sympathies and prayers to all of you.
A life well lived, he will be missed and we will remember he always had a little joke to tell:)
Dear Ira and family,
You have our deepest sympathy on the passing of your father. He led a most impressive life and will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. May he rest in peace. June, Brandy and Brian Bush
Ira, Barb, Mark, and families,
Deepest sympathy to all. Prayers and hugs sent your way. Need anything, I’m here for you.